Pillory

Quick meaning: Pillory is a noun meaning (transitive) To put in a pillory.

Meaning

(transitive) To put in a pillory.

More Meanings

1. (transitive, figurative) To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.
2. (transitive) To criticize harshly.
3. (chiefly historical) A framework on a post, with holes for the hands and head, used as a means of punishment and humiliation.

Example Sentences

[…]I haue stood on the Pillorie for Geese he hath kil'd, […]

Mike Sarne would end up making a celluloid disasterpiece that is to this day pilloried as one of the worst films ever made.

Cros·! þou dost no trouþe ; / On a pillori· my fruit to pinne, / He haþ no spot· of Adam sinne ; / Flesch· and veines· nou fleo a-twinne, / Wherfore I· rede of routhe·:

To ensure good behavior, the slaveholder relies on the whip; […] to imbrute and destroy his manhood, he relies on the whip, the chain, the gag, the thumb-screw, the pillory, the bowie-knife, the pistol, and the blood-hound.

Word Forms

• pillories
• pillorying
• pilloried

Synonyms for pillory

Depending on context, synonyms include gibbet, stocks.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include stocks, gibbet, penance, little-ease, palmer, pillarbox.

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